Published: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 11, 2013 at 10:03 p.m.

The Spartans who were there must wonder from time to time about what might have happened if those storm clouds hadn’t rolled in.

Facts

TUESDAY'S GAME

USC Upstate at South Carolina, 7 p.m., 97.1 FM, 1400 AM

USC Upstate had a 3-0 lead last season against South Carolina, the defending national baseball champion and again No. 1 ranked team in the country, when the game at Carolina Stadium was interrupted by rain in the middle of the second and ultimately canceled.

What if?

USC Upstate coach Matt Fincher is one who doesn’t overthink it.

“We had a first inning, but that’s all it was,” Fincher said. “That’s basically all that happened because the rains came very early. We stayed around as long as we could. We were there until after 10. We waited and waited, but we just weren’t going to be able to play that night.”

The game couldn’t be rescheduled last season, but the teams will try again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Senior left-hander Chris Cox (1-1, 2.70 ERA in 13.1 innings) will be the starting pitcher for USC Upstate (10-4). South Carolina (13-2) will go with junior right-hander Forrest Koumas (0-0, 2.45 in only 3 2/3 innings)

Although last season’s game was ultimately washed out, the Spartans left Columbia feeling much better than they did in 2011, when they were pounded by South Carolina, 18-2.

“One of the things about last year is that the guys were highly motivated and felt like they could compete with South Carolina,” Fincher said. “That was clear and it showed from the start of the game. That’s why I think the game had a chance to be very interesting.”

USC Upstate was much improved last season, going 33-20 overall and 16-10 in the Atlantic Sun to finish in second place.

The Spartans were 19-36, 10-18 in 2011. They are off to another solid start, winning five of the past seven. Earlier in the season, they lost a late lead and fell to No. 8 Kentucky.

“We’re playing OK,” Fincher said. “This team is off to a relatively hot start. We’ve lost three very close games against Kentucky, Furman and Gardner-Webb.”

Cox has made four appearances, three starts, with 12 hits and eight runs, but only four earned, allowed in his 13 1/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .245 against him.

South Carolina, ranked No. 5 in the country, has won six straight games and 11 of 12, the only loss during that span coming in the middle a three-game series against Clemson. The Gamecocks went 5-0 last week, winning two against Ball State and sweeping Rider. Sophomore shortstop Joey Pankake from Easley High School was named Louisville Slugger national player of the week after batting .438 with four home runs.

“You look forward to playing teams like South Carolina,” Fincher said. “You know they are going to be well-coached, with very good players and a great history. It’s an environment you’d like to be in. You go down there and do the best you can.”

<p>The Spartans who were there must wonder from time to time about what might have happened if those storm clouds hadn't rolled in.</p><p>USC Upstate had a 3-0 lead last season against South Carolina, the defending national baseball champion and again No. 1 ranked team in the country, when the game at Carolina Stadium was interrupted by rain in the middle of the second and ultimately canceled.</p><p>What if? </p><p>USC Upstate coach Matt Fincher is one who doesn't overthink it.</p><p>“We had a first inning, but that's all it was,” Fincher said. “That's basically all that happened because the rains came very early. We stayed around as long as we could. We were there until after 10. We waited and waited, but we just weren't going to be able to play that night.”</p><p>The game couldn't be rescheduled last season, but the teams will try again at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Senior left-hander Chris Cox (1-1, 2.70 ERA in 13.1 innings) will be the starting pitcher for USC Upstate (10-4). South Carolina (13-2) will go with junior right-hander Forrest Koumas (0-0, 2.45 in only 3 2/3 innings)</p><p>Although last season's game was ultimately washed out, the Spartans left Columbia feeling much better than they did in 2011, when they were pounded by South Carolina, 18-2.</p><p>“One of the things about last year is that the guys were highly motivated and felt like they could compete with South Carolina,” Fincher said. “That was clear and it showed from the start of the game. That's why I think the game had a chance to be very interesting.”</p><p>USC Upstate was much improved last season, going 33-20 overall and 16-10 in the Atlantic Sun to finish in second place. </p><p>The Spartans were 19-36, 10-18 in 2011. They are off to another solid start, winning five of the past seven. Earlier in the season, they lost a late lead and fell to No. 8 Kentucky.</p><p>“We're playing OK,” Fincher said. “This team is off to a relatively hot start. We've lost three very close games against Kentucky, Furman and Gardner-Webb.”</p><p>USC Upstate is second in the Atlantic Sun in hitting (.308 batting average) and pitching (2.27 earned-run average). Senior catcher/designated hitter Brandon Patterson is hitting a team-high .417, followed by senior first baseman Trey Richardson at .377 (four homers and 19 RBIs), junior catcher/designated hitter Luke Weber from Spartanburg High School (.321 with 16 RBIs) and senior center fielder Gaither Bumgardner (.314).</p><p>Cox has made four appearances, three starts, with 12 hits and eight runs, but only four earned, allowed in his 13 1/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .245 against him.</p><p>South Carolina, ranked No. 5 in the country, has won six straight games and 11 of 12, the only loss during that span coming in the middle a three-game series against Clemson. The Gamecocks went 5-0 last week, winning two against Ball State and sweeping Rider. Sophomore shortstop Joey Pankake from Easley High School was named Louisville Slugger national player of the week after batting .438 with four home runs.</p><p>“You look forward to playing teams like South Carolina,” Fincher said. “You know they are going to be well-coached, with very good players and a great history. It's an environment you'd like to be in. You go down there and do the best you can.”</p>